The health of Miami Heat power forward Kelly Olynyk has been a question mark in the buildup to the start of the team’s training camp.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra offered an update on Olynyk which indicated that the veteran will be returning to the court at some point during the preseason.
The 28-year-old Olynyk suffered a bone bruise to his right knee while competing for his native Canada in the recent FIBA World Cup. The Aug. 7 injury came in an exhibition game against Nigeria and kept him from contributing to the national team that played five games before being eliminated by Germany in a Sept. 9 defeat.
The bone bruise suffered by Olynyk was determined after he underwent an MRI following the injury. At the time, an assessment on his status for the 2019-20 season indicated that he would be ready to play for the Heat in time for the start of the regular season.
Olynyk’s statistical averages dropped slightly in his second season with the Heat last year, though he started in 36 of the 79 games he played in for the team. He averaged 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He also offered the Heat a scoring threat from beyond the arc by knocking down a career-high 113 3-pointers.
Olynyk’s name has been mentioned in trade speculation, with the Heat still looking at possible deals for guards Chris Paul and Bradley Beal. The fact that Olynyk could potentially opt out of the final year of his contract next year was seen by some as a potential way to obtain the services of Beal.
However, it appears that for right now, the main goal for the Heat appears to be to simply get Olynyk playing again.